Friday, May 28, 2010

Does Monsanto (NYSE:MON) Deserve More Love?

Over the last couple of months, it has seemed there has been no good news for Monsanto (NYSE:MON), largely based on the focus on Roundup.

The problem with that scenario, is Roundup isn't what has made Monsanto what it has been, and regardless of its performance going forward, Monsanto still solid growth potential.

When you consider Monsanto is still projecting earnings to grow at a rate in the mid-teens even with the Roundup challenges, and you see the long-term potential and quality product lineup they have.

The company is hated by some of the purists who don't believe in the products they provide, so they have had some influence in pushing only the negative aspects of how they view the company, to the detriment of their strong aspects.

For investors, we need to throw the negative out that is only based on emotion and activists, and look at the product line of the company as it is, and the earnings potential they represent.

The much larger segment of the company is in "seeds-and-traits," and that will be more indicative of their future performance than Roundup is, even if it was still protected.

Trading at its lowest levels in about three years, the stock could be a real bargain now.